DECOMPRESSION DIVING SPECIALTY

Our training begins with completing the mandatory paperwork and an introduction to the schedule, your instructor, and fellow participants.

The theory portion of the decompression diving course is comprehensive, covering essential knowledge required for safe and efficient dives beyond no-decompression limits. You’ll access Knowledge Reviews through the app or browser, which serve as the foundation for your learning. Once completed, your instructor will review your answers, clarify concepts, and provide additional insights to prepare you for practical application.

Topics in the theoretical section include:

• Decompression Theory: Understanding inert gas absorption, off-gassing, and bubble formation in tissues.
• Dive Planning: Learning how to calculate decompression stops using dive tables, software, or dive computers, and understanding concepts like gas planning and contingency planning.
• Gas Management: Detailed explanations of oxygen exposure, nitrogen narcosis, and the role of enriched gas mixes in decompression diving.
• Equipment Configuration: Familiarization with technical diving equipment, including redundant systems, stage cylinders, and decompression-specific tools.
• Safety Protocols: Procedures for managing emergencies, lost deco gas scenarios, and failed stops.

This theoretical knowledge equips you with the skills and confidence to execute decompression dives effectively, setting the stage for the practical training sessions.

The pool training segment of the Decompression Diving Specialty is a critical step in building the skills and confidence needed for safe and effective decompression diving. In this controlled environment, you’ll focus on mastering foundational techniques and practicing advanced procedures before heading into open water. Here’s what the training typically involves:

1. Equipment Familiarization and Configuration

• Learning proper setup and use of decompression-specific gear, including stage cylinders, regulators, and dive computers.
• Streamlining your equipment for efficiency and reducing drag underwater.
• Practicing pre-dive checks to ensure gear is functioning properly.

2. Buoyancy and Trim Control

• Refining buoyancy skills to maintain stable positions during decompression stops.
• Achieving and sustaining proper trim for energy-efficient movement and gas conservation.

3. Gas Switching Techniques

• Practicing the safe use of stage or decompression cylinders.
• Rehearsing gas switches using appropriate protocols to prevent errors or oxygen toxicity.
• Ensuring familiarity with marking systems for cylinder identification.

4. Dive Computer and Decompression Planning

• Learning to input dive parameters and interpret decompression schedules on your dive computer.
• Simulating the execution of planned stops at varying depths while monitoring no-stop limits and gas consumption.

5. Emergency Procedures

• Handling simulated scenarios like gas loss, equipment failure, or missed decompression stops.
• Rehearsing protocols for managing stress and ensuring safety in unexpected situations.

6. Teamwork and Communication

• Practicing underwater communication with your buddy, including hand signals and slate use.
• Coordinating roles during decompression stops and gas switches to ensure a smooth dive.

Pool training ensures you have a solid grasp of these essential skills in a low-pressure environment, setting you up for a successful transition to open-water decompression dives.

The Decompression Diving Specialty includes three dives designed to develop your skills, confidence, and proficiency in performing planned decompression dives safely. Here’s what each dive typically involves:

Dive 1: Introduction to Decompression Techniques
The first dive focuses on introducing the core concepts and techniques of decompression diving in a controlled environment. You’ll practice:

• Proper equipment setup and checks, including configuring stage or decompression cylinders.
• Using a dive computer to plan and monitor decompression stops.
• Gas switching techniques, ensuring safe transitions between bottom gas and deco gas.
• Maintaining proper buoyancy control and trim during decompression stops.
• Managing your ascent rate to avoid violating decompression schedules.

Dive 2: Advanced Planning and Execution
In this dive, you’ll refine your skills by executing a planned decompression dive under your instructor’s guidance. Key focuses include:

• Applying advanced dive planning concepts, including calculating gas consumption and contingencies.
• Handling more complex decompression profiles, including multiple stops at varying depths.
• Demonstrating situational awareness and teamwork, including communication with your dive buddy.
• Managing stress and potential challenges such as lost deco gas or unplanned delays.

Dive 3: Final Skill Application and Certification Dive
The final dive allows you to integrate everything you’ve learned into a fully planned and executed decompression dive. You’ll:

• Take the lead in dive planning and setup under your instructor’s supervision.
• Safely navigate a decompression schedule, demonstrating precision with stops and gas switches.
• Assess and adjust to real-world conditions, ensuring flexibility in your plan.
• Focus on efficient teamwork and communication throughout the dive.

Upon successful completion of these three dives, you’ll gain certification as a Decompression Diver, equipped with the skills and knowledge to explore deeper underwater environments safely and confidently.